How to Build My Own Backyard Storage Shed
A backyard storage shed can provide space to store gardening tools and equipment, holiday decorations, empty boxes, bicycle and helmet. Not only will you use wasted space by creating a small shed over it, but your things can be tucked in safely and thus last longer. Although you can make a shed from a variety of material, including plywood, vinyl and steel sheets, bricks are the best option, since they can withstand inclement weather and last for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Spray paint
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Earplugs
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Sand
- Concrete
- Water
- Post hole digger
- Four lengths of 4-by-4's
- Door
- Mortar
- Bricks
- Trowel
- Two-by-four lumber
- Drilling machine
- Tape measure
- Galvanized nails
- Steel roofing sheet
Instructions
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1
Seek permission from your regulatory buildings authority if there are certain building or height specifications you are required to meet. Depending on the space available, select and mark the area in your backyard with spray paint, but make sure there are no power or gas lines running under it.
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2
Remove 6 inches of dirt from the demarcated area to make the base of the shed. Collect the dirt in a wheelbarrow and dispose off. Add 3 inches of gravel or sand over the ditch and level it with the back of the shovel. Follow manufacturers instructions to mix concrete with water and carefully pour it into the ditch. Allow it to dry thoroughly, preferably overnight.
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3
Use a post hole digger to dig 3-inch-deep holes at the four corners of the base. Insert a pole into each corner hole, and secure it into place by applying concrete around it. Allow the concrete to dry thoroughly.
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4
Purchase a ready-to-install door from your local hardware or home department store. Measure its size and add 2 inches all around to figure out how much space you should leave for the door before you install bricks.
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5
Use a hand trowel to apply an inch or two of mortar on the base of each brick and place it on the concrete. Repeat this procedure, placing one layer after the other. Remember to place each successive layer of bricks in the middle of the two that are under it. Continue laying bricks with mortar until you are two or three inches from the tops of the four corner posts.
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6
Cut the lengths of your two-by-four to size after measuring them and place them horizontally over the corner posts for the framework of the roof, allowing for a five-inch overhang. Connect the lengths of the two-by-four to the vertical posts with galvanized wood screws. Place the sheet of steel roofing over the framework and connect it with galvanized screws.
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Measure and cut the two-by-four lumber to make the door's framework. Attach the framework to the bricks using galvanized wood screws, and follow manufacturer's instructions to attach the door.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses, earplugs and gloves during construction.
Make sure all the bricks are the same size and none of them is chipped or cracked.
Keep stepping back as you lay the bricks to access your work and check that you are not leaving any gaps or holes.
